New York: Schumer Seeks Testing for Veterans' Families

From CDC National Prevention Information Network

January 25, 2013

On January 23, Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), expressed his latest concerns regarding problems at the Buffalo Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in a letter to Brian Stiller, medical director at VA Western New York Healthcare System. The problems occurred because of faulty labeling practices at the hospital in which insulin delivery devices possibly may have been used on more than one patient during the time period of October 19, 2010, to November 1, 2012. As many as 716 veterans could have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. In the letter, Schumer emphasized that the Buffalo VA Medical Center should not only provide health testing to possibly exposed veterans but also extend testing to their family members and caregivers. Schumer based his request upon information from relatives of the diabetic patients who were treated at the hospital.

Schumer states, "The VA must waste no time in testing the family members and caregivers of the 716 patients in Buffalo who were victims of the negligent and improper use of insulin pens. These veterans and their family members who may have been exposed to life-threatening illnesses need testing performed immediately, and every day that goes by is another day the families' legitimate concerns go unanswered." Schumer explained that family members continued to provide care to the veterans and were unaware of their own possible exposure. He requested that they be provided the same follow-up services as any potentially exposed veteran.

Buffalo VA Hospital spokesperson Evangeline Conley said that the hospital is reviewing this matter and investigating all options. According to Conley, currently the VA will provide free testing, care, and counseling to any veteran who tests positive for any blood-borne disease resulting from this incident.

(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in Internet search results. Be careful when providing personal information! Beforeadding your comment, please read TheBody.com's Comment Policy.)

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 750 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.